Protecting your bike from theft

The cycling map shows places you can park your bike – they are marked with locks.

We have Streetpods across the town centre. They have enhanced security features. Find out more about Streetpods.

Reading cycling map and leaflet to download

Other places you can lock your bike

• Parks – larger Reading parks have cycle stands and smaller parks may have limited or informal cycle parking.
• All Reading train stations
• Hotel Guest Bikes: Some hotels like The Roseate Reading and Premiere Suites offer free bikes for guests.
• Leisure centres, libraries, and civic buildings
• We are also developing residential cycle parking hubs, especially in terraced housing zones where bike storage is limited.

Tips for keeping your bike secure

• Double lock the bike – ideally use two secure-rated locks, lock both wheels and the frame. Don’t let your lock lie on or near the ground where it can be smashed or leave space inside the lock where tools can be inserted. Lock the frame to a solid object such as a bike stand.
• Location – a good location to leave your bike is where it is visible to lots of people or a recognised secure cycle parking location. Don’t leave your bike in isolated or badly lit places.
• Removable parts – take removal parts with you like lights, pumps and panniers with you. Other parts that are easy to remove such as the saddle or wheels also take with or secure them to the bike’s frame permanently using locking skewers or nuts for components to the frame permanently,
• Beware of social media – avoid putting up photos of your bike on social media, beware of bike tracking apps, avoid logging on tracking apps on your regular routes and avoid posting on social media about your location. Don’t start or stop you GPS tracker outside your house. Avoid logging on tracking apps on your regular routes such as your commute to work.
• Keep a record and register your bike – insure your bike, take photos of your bike to identify it in case it is stolen. Register your bike with Immobilise or register on Bikeregister (UK wide) – the police use these databases to match stolen bikes and return them.
• Keep valuables secure when cycling – Don’t put valuables in open baskets or panniers on your bike.